Zero Tipper’s Round Nine Tips and Analysis

Friday May 29

Sydney v Carlton

SCG, 7.50pm (All times local time)

Carlton has had one of the worst weeks in the club’s history. Unfortunately it will only get worse on Friday night when they travel to Sydney. The Blues haven’t beaten the Swans since round 13, 2011 and to make matters worse, their three best players (Judd, Gibbs and Murphy) are all out this week. Franklin may kick ten if the Blues aren’t careful.

Sydney by 90

Saturday May 30

Melbourne V Port Adelaide

TIO Traeger Park, 1.40pm

I can see an upset brewing here with the Demons showing some hugely impressive form last weekend. If it weren’t for Carlton, Port Adelaide would have been the story of the season. The Preliminary Finalists have lost the last three and are in horrible form, sitting 13th with just three wins from eight games. I’m tipping Melbourne to claim another upset.

Melbourne by 12

Hawthorn V Gold Coast

Aurora Stadium, 1.45pm

This one could also get ugly. Hawthorn traditionally come out firing after a loss and this week it’s the Gold Coast in the firing line. The return of Luke Hodge and further injuries for the Suns will result in a massive win for the Hawks in Tassie.

Hawthorn by 60

Western Bulldogs V GWS

Etihad Stadium, 4.35pm

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GWS just go from strength to strength and have now won three on the trot. The Bulldogs have swung the axe with four players dropped and two out injured, after three poor performances on the trot brought them crashing back down to earth. With the Giants playing the way they are, I can’t see them losing to the Dogs.

GWS by 22

Richmond V Essendon

MCG, 7.20pm

This will possibly be the most closely contested Dreamtime match since its inception. The Tigers are back after a poor start to the year and Joe Daniher has the Bombers singing his praises and could do anything. Tough one to call, Tigers just after their impressive win over Port last week.

Richmond by 12

Adelaide V Fremantle

Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm

Can Fremantle win nine games in a row? Of course they can! No one is going to stop the Purple Haze just yet, regardless of where they play. Fyfe and co will teach Adelaide a lesson, just as they have to most teams this season. Fremantle has won the last three against the Crows.

Fremantle by 30

Sunday May 31

Brisbane V St. Kilda

Gabba, 1.10pm

It seems like just the other day when these two sides were both premiership contenders, playing off in a prelim final. Now they’re both rebuilding, with the Saints slightly ahead of where the Lions are at in their development. Brisbane was good for a half last week but couldn’t sustain it. St. Kilda should just prevail in a tight contest.

St. Kilda by 15

Collingwood V North Melbourne

MCG, 3.20pm

Possibly the hardest game to pick this round, with neither side providing anything resembling consistent form over the past eight weeks. Impossible to choose, but I’m tipping the Roos, just because of their expected dominance in the ruck with Todd Goldstein.

North Melbourne by 7

West Coast V Geelong

Domain Stadium, 2.40pm

This could be the game of the round, with several other matches this week looking very one sided. Geelong has won three of the past four against the Eagles and have handed out some hidings to West Coast over the past decade. But this year the Eagles are flying and the Cats are just clinging on to a once mighty era. Both sides had huge wins last week over mediocre opposition and this week will be perfect to see where they are really at. West Coast should just prevail at home.